Sight Seeing

Bara Imambara

Bara Imambara (Hindi: बड़ा इमामबाड़ा) is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India, built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784. It is also called the Asafi Imambara. Bara means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari. The Bara Imambara is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow. The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth), and bowli, a step well with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall. Construction of Bara Imambara was started...

Dilkusha Garden

Dilkusha Kothi is the remains of an eighteenth-century house built in the English baroque style in the quiet Dilkusha area of Lucknow in India. Today there are only a few towers and external walls as a monument, though the extensive gardens remain. The house was constructed around 1800 by the British resident Major Gore Ouseley, a friend of the ruler of Oudh, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. It was initially intended as a hunting lodge for the nawabs of Oudh although it was later used as a summer resort too. Changes were made...

Residency

The Residency, also called as the British Residency and Residency Complex, is a group of several building in a common precinct. The Residency now exists in ruins and is located in the heart of the city, in vicinity of other monuments like Shaheed Smarak, Tehri Kothi and High Court Building. It was constructed during the rule of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan II,who was the fifth Nawab of the province of Awadh (British Spelling Oudh). The construction took place between 1780 to 1800 AD and served as the residence for...

Baradari

A baradari (literally twelve-doors) was an elegant nawabi-style pavilion, which together with gardens was an essential feature of much secular architecture in Lucknow. Kaisarbagh Baradari is a unique building built by the last Nawab of Oudh Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. He used to hold court here. This was also the venue for several ceremonies and cultural functions. The imposing edifice is very well decorated from inside and is very well...

Chattar Manzil

The Chattar Manzil ( Hindi: छतर मंज़िल), or Umbrella Palace is a building in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh which served as a palace for the rulers of Awadh and their wives. It was constructed by order of Nawab Ghazi Uddin Haider and completed after his death by his successor, Nawab Nasir Uddin Haider. The Chattar Manzil stand on the banks of the River Gomti. The Chattar Manzil consisted of a Bari(larger) Chattar Manzil and Chhoti (smaller) Chattar Manzil, however only the larger one still...

Rumi Darwaza

The Rumi Darwaza (Hindi: रूमी दरवाज़ा and sometimes known as the Turkish Gate), in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, is an imposing gateway which was built under the patronage of Nawab Asaf-Ud-dowlah in 1784. It is an example of Awadhi architecture. Being an entrance to the city of Lucknow, Russell, the reporter of The New York Times who accompanied the victorious British army that entered Lucknow in 1858, after India’s First War of Independence, had called the stretch of road from Rumi Darwaza to Chattar Manzil the most beautiful and spectacular cityscape...

Lucknow Prani Udyan

Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens or popularly known as Lucknow Zoological Garden (Hindi: लखनऊ चिड़ियाघर) is a 71.6-acre (29.0 ha) zoo located in the heart of the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. The Central Zoo Authority of India categorizes it as a large zoo. The Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Lucknow Zoological Gardens, was established in the year 1921 to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales to Lucknow. The idea of establishing Zoological gardens at Lucknow emanated from Sir Harcourt Butler, the...

Chota Imambara

Chota Imambara (Hindi: छोटा इमामबाड़ा), also known as Hussainabad Imambara is an imposing monument located in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Built as an imambara or a congregation hall for Shia Muslims, by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh in 1838, it was to serve as his own mausoleum and his mother, who is buried beside him The building is also known as the Palace of Lights because of its decorations and chandeliers during special festivals, like Muharram. The chandeliers used to decorate the interior of this building were...

La Martinière College

La Martinière College is a premiere educational institution,the only school in the world to have been awarded royal battle honours for its role in the defence of Lucknow during the mutiny of 1857. La Martinière is a non-denominational private school in India (Kolkata and Lucknow) and in France (Lyon). La Martinière Schools were founded posthumously by Major General Claude Martin in the early 19th century. Martin had acquired a large fortune while serving the Nawab of Awadh Asaf-ud-Daula and bequeath a major part of his estate to establish the...